James Darren, the beloved former teen idol and pop singer known for his role as the dreamy surfer Moondoggie in the Gidget films, passed away on Monday at the age of 88. He died peacefully in his sleep at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, as confirmed by his son, Jim Moret, a correspondent for Inside Edition. Darren had been admitted for an aortic valve replacement but was deemed too weak for surgery, leading him to return home before having to come back to the hospital.
Throughout his career, Darren gained acclaim for his performances, including his role in Let No Man Write My Epitaph (1960) and as the Greek soldier Spyros Pappadimos in The Guns of Navarone (1961). Despite not being able to surf, he captured audiences as Moondoggie (real name: Jerry Matthews) alongside actresses Sandra Dee, Deborah Walley, and Cindy Carol in three Gidget films. He later starred in the science fiction series The Time Tunnel and the police drama T.J. Hooker, where he played Officer Jim Corrigan alongside Heather Locklear.
Darren also made a name for himself as a singer, with his hit “Goodbye Cruel World” reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1961. He continued to make an impact as a lounge singer on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in the late 1990s, portraying Vic Fontaine.
Born James William Ercolani on June 8, 1936, in South Philadelphia, he was inspired by singer Eddie Fisher to pursue a career in music and acting. He attended acting classes in New York and eventually signed a contract with Columbia Pictures, making his film debut in Rumble on the Docks (1956).
Darren’s contributions spanned decades, and he was known for his connections with fans, including a memorable encounter with Bruce Springsteen. He is survived by his wife, Evy Norlund, three sons, and several grandchildren.